Connect with us

Trending

Covid-19: Is an ‘Omicron-specific’ vaccine needed? Experts say it might come too late

Published

on

Covid-19: Is an ‘Omicron-specific’ vaccine needed? Experts say it might come too late

As the world frets over the need for an Omicron-specific vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), several public health professionals and infectious disease experts interviewed by Nature have had mixed views on the matter. According to medics and researchers interviewed by the journal, it is unclear whether the scientific community will need to devote significant time and effort to developing a vaccine specifically against the highly circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain of the coronavirus, as the world’s Cases may flatten out before injections are approved in most places, or the next strain may be completely different from the current one, requiring again a different vaccine composition.

Debate: Why develop an Omicron-specific vaccine?

The earliest Covid-19 vaccines were based on the original SARS-CoV-2 strain first discovered in Wuhan, China. But since then, the coronavirus has undergone multiple mutations; the Omicron strain, which is capable of frequent transmission, contains more than 30 mutations in key regions of its genome, making it quite different from the original strain.

Given the changes in Omicron’s biology compared to the original virus, and the fact that the new strain is becoming the dominant variant in several countries around the world, the researchers came up with the idea of ​​updating the vaccine’s composition.

Advertisement

Also, the protection provided by the booster is not permanent. While the UK health safety agency says a third dose of the vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalisation by 92% and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is 90% effective in preventing hospitalisations, everyone agrees that the protection is driven by boosters The firing also waned quickly. The UK study showed that the effectiveness against hospitalisation dropped from 92% to 83% just 10 weeks after the third dose was administered.

Notably, updated systems for existing vaccines such as influenza viruses already exist. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a team of experts that meets twice a year to recommend ingredients for the next season of vaccines, making it easier for health regulators in countries to follow up. There are also more than 100 laboratories and five WHO collaborating centres around the world conducting year-round surveillance, testing thousands of virus samples and predicting how the next influenza strain will develop.

However, there are some complications with the influenza vaccine model that replicates the coronavirus, especially given the Omicron variant.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times

Advertisement

health and remedies

Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Published

on

By

Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.

When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.

While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )

Why recovery is key for muscle growth

According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage, preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.

Advertisement

Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to respond more quickly and effectively to future training, promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.

Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.

Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks

Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals. Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.

Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.

Advertisement

Fitness influencers recommend incorporating deload weeks into training schedules every 4–8 weeks, aligning closely with the expert advice of 4–6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and schedule deload weeks as needed. If your performance plateaus or worsens, it may signal time for a deload. Training plans should be flexible enough to allow rest when required. Deload weeks not only enhance performance but also support overall health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Group Media Publications
Entertainment News Platforms – anyflix.in      
Construction Infrastructure and Mining News Platform – https://cimreviews.com/
General News Platform – https://ihtlive.com/

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Anyskill-ads

Facebook

Trending